Climbing My Grandfather

Question 1

What is the poem about?

Answer 1

a grandchild recounting childhood memories of his grandfather

Question 2

What is the form of the poem?

Answer 2

follows journey up a mountain as he imagines it
enjambment imitates slow motion of climb and emphasises speakers steady progress

Question 3

What is the structure of the poem?

Answer 3

single stanza suggesting an ongoing journey up the mountain

Question 4

What its the context of the poem?

Answer 4

Waterhouse struggled with mental illness and took his own life he also had a keen interest in environmentalism

Question 5

What does the title suggest?

Answer 5

formal reference to “grandfather” may show generational divide
“climbing” implies of adventure and exploration

Question 6

Who wrote the poem?

Answer 6

Andrew waterhouse

Question 7

Finish and analyse the quote: “I decide to __________ without ______ LINE 1

Answer 7

“I decide to do it free without a rope or net”
-may reflect generational divide as there is an element of peril with getting to know his G
-level of familiarity as he is comfortable around his G and trusts him to catch him if he falls
-present tense shows activeness
-preposition ‘without’ shows independence and liberation that will be shown in the rest of the poem

Question 8

Finish and analyse the quote:” the nails are ____________ LINE 8

Answer 8

“the nails are splintered and give good purchase”
-sound ugly but give climber good grip may symbolise the treatment of old people though they have a lot to offer from experience

Question 9

Finish and analyse the quote: “the skin of ________ and thick _______ ice” LINE 9-10

Answer 9

“the skin of his finger is smooth and thick, // like warm ice”
-oxymoron, simplistic and contradictory symbolising childs perspective but also complex nature of memory and nature
-affectionate imagery to show that the G child feels safe with G and the G is there for him

Question 10

Analyse the quote: “I rest for a while” LINE 13

Answer 10

climbing imagery turns into imagery of child sitting on adults shoulders

Question 11

What does the extended metaphor of climbing suggest?

Answer 11

metaphor for the grandpas experience compared to grandson that evokes sense of admiration and awe or metaphor to make the grandfather appear complex and distant to get to know

Question 12

What is the last line of the poem?

Answer 12

“the slow pulse of his good heart”

Question 13

What does the last line of the poem suggest?

Answer 13

grandfathers steady and warm love for grandson with monosyllabic line slows pace of poem, imitating heartbeat